JD 4320 vs Kubota L5030HST

chapmx · Aug 15, 2005

This is follow-up on a thread in the Kubota forum which when I initially posted I was planning on a Kubota but after some additional research I have started to seriously consider a JD so have started post to general forum requesting advice on the comparison.

That gets me to my choices (changed a little since first post in Kubota forum titled "Looking for Trackor purchase advice" and now includes JD). I am still looking at the Kubota L5030 but have started to seriously consider the JD 4320. Am I comparing apples to apples when comparing these two tractors? JD has 48 hp in turbo charged engine while L5030 has 52 in non-turbo engine, based on the thread "hp vs elevation" it would appear that the JD would actually be slightly better in that cat. for my elevation (between 1500 - 2300)? As far as features/accessories they seem pretty evenly matched (+/- here and there). Any input from owners as to how they compare in real world use? Toughness, reliability, resale, attachment quality (853 loader vs 400x etc), JD eHydro vs Kubota HST...

I am going to head up to the JD dealer later this week and start some research there (have already hit kubota dealer a few times). Based on word of mouth around my area it seems that both the local Kubota and JD dealer are pretty good so except for distance (15 mi difference) the dealers may be a draw.

Wish me luck as I had no idea selecting a tractor would get so complicated until I happened on this forum and all you started giving me ideas/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.

rockyridgefarm · Aug 15, 2005

They are closely matched. Both are great units. The thing that would sway ME is LoadMatch. It looks like a gadget till you live with it. That would sway me in ythe favor of the Deere (again...)

But, that is NOT to say that if you got the orange one that you'd be doing a bad thing. It is not without good reason that Kubota moves so much iron.

MessickFarmEqu · Aug 15, 2005

I'm the kubota dealer, so here are my biased comparison.

The LA853 probably outlifts Deere by several hundred pounds. They also use a deluxe loader valve with positions that allow for multiple functions. Deere has change to a cheap valve that does not allow things like lift and curl. Deere claims they have improved this, but in the past they loaders have also operated much slower than anyone elses. The Deere loader puts most of the strain on a 1/4 thick piece of frame. I've never read of problems here, but the factory guys will point this out. In a nut shell, the LA853 is one of the most stout loaders in the industry.

Deere uses a ligher duty driveline than Kubota does.

For your altitude, I don't think the turbo issue really matters so much. It might give somewhat better torque, but thats often offset by Deere using lower displacment engines. Their more recent breed also smokes alot more and is louder than the olders ones.

Don't get me wrong, I think Deere makes a respectable product. There are just some area's where each will excel.

rockyridgefarm · Aug 15, 2005

Good post, Neil. Aweful nice to have dealers take their time to provide their input!

Dargo · Aug 15, 2005

( JD eHydro vs Kubota HST...)

I own a Kubota L5030HSTC and have had absolutely nothing but trouble with Kubota's crappy hydro pedal setup. If your area where you plan to use your tractor is as smooth as new ashpalt, no problem. However, if you have any bumps, you'll hate the Kubota hydro pedal. It will jerk the crap out of you. To make matters worse, after dealing with Kubota for over 6 months on this problem, their regional service manager has told me that it "is the nature of the beast".

If you are going hydro drive, I'd vote for JD big time and I have a Kubota. Also, my lovely LA853 loader has had constant problems and has been in for repairs 4 times. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif It goes back in to the dealer this Friday again. Oh yeah, whatever you do, don't ever buy the Kubota T&T setup. I don't even want to get started on that. Kubota ought to be ashamed!!

timb · Aug 16, 2005

Both appear to be excellent tractors, but it does seem like there have been more 'teething' problems with the early 4000-Twenties than the later 4000-Tens had. There are a few threads on here comparing the 4000 Twenties to the Kubota L5030. Here's one:

Kubota L5030 or JD 4710?

Note - the 4000 Twenties have an identical displacement engine to the L5030 (149 cu in.), Neil's info is out of date on that spec. The Deere also hits it's rated hp at a slightly slower speed - 2600 vs. 2700 rpm, so it actually produces a tiny bit more crankshaft torque at the same hp output.
I'd also like to see some actual numbers on the 'lighter duty driveline' comment. I've seen that mentioned several times by different folks - but no one actually quantifies their comment. It's important to note that not all Deere units are built the same. Seems like some folks see something they don't care for on one sized unit and assume that all of the different size classes are built the same. Example - Deere gets some flack about 'aluminum' diffs - (maybe justifiably, maybe not, certain other mfgs. use aluminum housings on some models as well) - but the large frames are all cast iron. The aluminum stops with the mid-sized tractors.

One thing a large frame CUT should provide over a smaller unit is better stability - especially when manhandling a heavy attachment. The L5030 has a sligthly longer wheelbase which should help while the Deere large frame units typically have a wider front track than anyone else. The rear wheels are of course usually adjustable for track and are probably more influential on side stability than the front axle. As a result the Deere turns a little tighter, but the Kubota has a better 3pt capacity and weighs more unballasted so might handle a heavy implement a little better.

slowzuki · Aug 16, 2005

I would say Dargo is an exception and has bought a lemon unfortunately.

We bought a used L5030 hstc and LA853 in April and have put something like 140 hours on it in the four months.

Our unit has about 500 hours from a landscaping contractor on it so a few scars but it is incredible.

We have no troubles at all with the hst pedal. The only time I find it jerky is when raking hay in high or medium in a bumpy field. I just switch to the cruise control.

The loader is fast, smooth and precise. dargo's has some type of cylinder or valve issue where it is leaking down quickly.

I use our tractor for mowing hay with a 9 ft mower conditioner, baling hay with a JD 336 square baler and for moving dirt and rock sand etc around our building site.

We also have a 9000 lb 4wd International/Case farm tractor with a big loader but this little kubota can move dirt 3-4 times faster even with the much smaller bucket.

One of my good friends (he towed the tractor 200 miles home for my) has a JD4310 with load match and e-hydro and all those goodies but seems to have problems. He has had the rear end apart twice to replace broken axles, the wiring harness has failed and brought the machine to its knees twice now, and his mid-mount mower has been to the dealer 4 times to get the lift rod replaced.

He bleeds green and loves the thing but I wouldn't stand for his problems.

Our problems so far... the little rubber covers for the dome light switch were torn off when we bought it so the light comes on if you lean on the door. I had to tighten up the loader bolts. There is rub marks on the fan blades and fan shroud where they have touched. And... well, the knob for the fresh/recirc flapper broke before we owned it. Not bad for 2 years (500 hrs) with a contracting crew.

( ( JD eHydro vs Kubota HST...)

I own a Kubota L5030HSTC and have had absolutely nothing but trouble with Kubota's crappy hydro pedal setup. If your area where you plan to use your tractor is as smooth as new ashpalt, no problem. However, if you have any bumps, you'll hate the Kubota hydro pedal. It will jerk the crap out of you. To make matters worse, after dealing with Kubota for over 6 months on this problem, their regional service manager has told me that it "is the nature of the beast".

If you are going hydro drive, I'd vote for JD big time and I have a Kubota. Also, my lovely LA853 loader has had constant problems and has been in for repairs 4 times. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif It goes back in to the dealer this Friday again. Oh yeah, whatever you do, don't ever buy the Kubota T&T setup. I don't even want to get started on that. Kubota ought to be ashamed!! )

michiglenn · Aug 16, 2005

I looked seriously at the 4630HST when tractor shopping last year, and ended up buying the 4320 EHydro. They are both great tractors with good reputations. I wince when I hear about things like how JD has a weak loader, their engines smoke, and other salesman BS. Don't listen. Go to your dealer and look (and listen) for yourself. The sales persons all have their lines to convince you that their competitors don't have engineering departments. Look at a 400X loader and tell me where the weak point is. Look for smoke that presumeably pours out of the engines. John Deere will hold it's own, don't worry. I won't begin to tell you either brand is perfect, you will have to spend some time looking for the one that feels better to you. In the end, some subtle item will finally sway you toward one or the other. Enjoy the search. I did. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

jrepp · Aug 16, 2005

chapmx: You wanted some input from owners of JD4320 and Kubota L5030HST. I own a L5030HSTC, just turned 650 hours. I am impressed with my unit, I basically have been using it as a bulldozer to clear approximately 10 acres of wooded land. I have severely abused this tractor by digging up massive tree stumps that I should have hired out to a track hoe and real bulldozer (shame on me). I have also dug 1000's of FEL loads of dirt to build roads and level old pastures. This tractor has never been in the shop and has not given me any trouble. I love the Hydro pedal and cruise control, I can set the cruise control at .5 mph and run the rotary tiller all day. Any mfg can make an occasional lemon, and I feel sorry for anyone who gets one. For me I have been 110% satisfied with my tractor.

Dargo · Aug 16, 2005

Give me more posts I can print out to take to my Kubota regional service manager who is telling me that what I have "is the nature of the beast". Perhaps I got a machine that just so happened to have several issues (except the T&T, it is just junk), but Kubota is giving me zero help, and trying to simply get me to go away like they have on the well documented and well known issues with the RTV I have.

Maybe I've been too nice of a guy. Perhaps this Friday it's time to use the "Chef Ramsey" approach, and tell them that they are full of ****, and to fix my ****** tractor and stop the ******** of telling me that they all have these problems. Who in the **** would buy a tractor that has the **** loader drop about 2" per minute?! The T&T leaks off completely in just over an hour, and they tell me that is normal since I have quick couplers for it. ********!! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif Have they not noticed how the loaders are attached?!

Please post more success stories that I can print out and shove in the uncooperative Kubota rep's face. Yeah, I'm a little hot! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif